DC mayor vetoes $10.6 billion budget

By BEN NUCKOLS -
Associated Press -
Friday, July 11, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) - District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray has vetoed the $10.6 billion budget approved by the D.C. Council.

Gray said Friday that he can’t “in good conscience” support a spending plan that cuts funding for the city’s streetcar system, taxes yoga classes and gym memberships and defunds property tax relief for senior citizens.

Gray also says the budget will hinder future mayors from responding to fiscal problems. The mayor lost his re-election bid in the April Democratic primary to Councilmember Muriel Bowser.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson says in a statement that he’s disappointed with the mayor’s veto and will work with colleagues to override it on Monday. The council approved the budget by a 12-1 margin. Nine votes would be needed to override the veto.